Coupe Door Lock

[mancamefirst]

I have a 1968 Coupe. The passenger side front door lock has never worked since i picked the car up last september, although it was fine when i viewed the car. From within the car i can open the door as normal. From outside the button depresses fully but doesn't do anything. The key appears to work as normal in the lock barrel. I need obviously to get this repaired. Can anyone advise me on whether any local garage should be able to repair the lock, or whether i need to find someone with more specialised knowledge. Also is there a likely culprit within the mechanism that will be broken or unattached that i should contact David Green or someone for a replacement before booking it in. Grateful for any assistance.

[harvey]

I would suggest removing the doortrim and having a look. It should be fairly obvious if a link has come adrift, and if not you should be able to work out if it is the lock at fault. If it opens from inside I would think it's more likely a link come off.
First job on the "to do" list for the MOT.

[Phil Nottingham]

Its very unlikely any parts will be required especially on the passenger side - any competent mechanic/diyer should be able to sort this out easily

[mancamefirst]

Harvey, Phil - Thanks for the advice.

If there is a possibility that something may simply have come 'undone' I might see if i can work out how to take the door trim off and have a look. (Might have to buy some tools first though). Afterall if i do no more than get the trim off, it'll save on labour costs.

[Phil Nottingham]

I am certain that's all that has happened and it will be obvious

[mancamefirst]

Thanks Phil

I expect the car to be off the road for a week or two whilst I sort out tyres (I need two fronts at least - and i'm having a go at repainting the rostyles at the same time). I aso need to change some lamps and bulbs, so now is a good time to have a play with the door lock. I vaguely remember seeing advice/instructions somewhere (Glenn's site i think) which will help.

Just got to convince my wife now, because if i damage anything she will divorce me. ;D

[Phil Nottingham]

It has been covered in both Take 5 and this Forum before

[mancamefirst]

I've taken the door trim off this morning. After some advice from those who know so i don't have to strip the drivers door to compare.

From what i can see (and please excuse the poor description) Inside the door in line with the door button, there is a small bolt that extends towards a metal plate. I assume that when the button on the door lock is pressed, the bolt should push in toward the metal plate and push it backwards. I have managed to get my hand in and push the plate back and this does operate the lock. However when I press the exterior door button nothing happens at all.

Is my assumption (assuming anyone can understand it) correct, and if so does it appear likely i need a new door handle.

BTW followed advice on here about cleaning up the earth connections for the lights and now all my lights work, (including both sets of indicators which flash at the same speed) and i didn't need any new bulbs afterall.

[Phil Nottingham]

You are correct in thats how the handle works. Its best to remove the handle as the push button can be removed to see what has gone wrong. A another Coupe handle would sort it but it can probably be fixed without that - it may be that a Saloon type has been fitted that allows the button to press in without moving the actual plunger. You should see a lever that may move up or down on the back of the plunger mech.

Its very difficulkt to describe - it obvious how they work when off the car but this may unnecessary if you can see what I mean

[mancamefirst]

Thanks Phil, I understand.

Is it just the two bolts that hold the door handle, or is there more i can't see?

[Phil Nottingham]

Thre may be a starr clip on a stud - these often get lost

[Deleted]

You will not need to remove the star retainer if it is fitted as it is in a slot and can slide out once the 5/16" AF bolt is removed. If you need to remove any horse shoe clips, take good care of them and tie them with some button thread to prevent them falling into the bottom of the door where they will be lost.. You will need a small spanner either 5/16 or 3/8".
Dont remember which.

[mancamefirst]

Phil, Humphey - Thanks very much for your advice its really helping

I can't get to the bolt near the door lock to undo it with a spanner, I've stripped the skin on both sides of my forearm trying. I've undone the other bolt and seen the horshoe clip that i will need to remove (and following in family tradition will of course lose). I'm going to try and buy one of those 'flexi driver' things to see if that helps. Just a thought while I'm gone.. the external button reacts as if the door is locked whether it is or isn't... the key in the barrel appears to work fine, the internal indicator goes up and down as you would expect when the door is locked/unlocked with the key. Looking inside the door there is a lever on the side of where the bolt comes out (see earlier post) that moves from about 12 o'clock to about 3 o'clock as the door is locked/unlocked. Is that normal? In my inexperienced way i guess i'm asking whether the problem could be to do with the lock as opposed to the button, and whether there is something i can check here. I'm probably clutching at straws because i can't get the door handle off!

[Phil Nottingham]

It is 5/16th AF (2BA - 8mm will fit as well) The lever is supposed to move as it locks the door handle button so it can operate the mechansim

[mancamefirst]

Door handle is off!!! Clip is safe!!! My eldest has just popped out to see what I'm doing, and in a state of near panic he ran in screaming to his mum that i'm ruining the car.

Just looking for a suitable screwdriver so i can undo the iinternal part from the external part.

[Phil Nottingham]

Good - you should then see how it works - its quite crude and simple but does wear - its odd that its the passenger side as the drivers usually give trouble first. It many be seized partially.

If the door locking mechanism is partially seized then its usually difficult to lock which is why I think its the door handle but check the link from handle to lock mechanism to enure move through its full range

[mancamefirst]

Update.

In the finest tradition of those who aren't practically minded i considered the job done and carelessly undid the two parts paying absolutely no attention to what went where. Its taken me nearly an hour to work out how to put it back together and now everything seems to work fine now

When the lever is in the unlocked position the button allows full tavel of the bolt, and when its in the locked position the button depresses fully and the bolt doesn't move.

Don't quite know how or why, but i'm not going to let that bother me. Just got to put everything back on the car now.

Rather pleased with myself at present, and very grateful to Phil for his advice (not forgetting Humphrey) and Glenn for the pics on his website

[Phil Nottingham]

;)Its easy to forget that these cars weredesigned and built so as to mend rather than replace so in the end its cost nothing except your time and skin!

[mancamefirst]

I was happy to expend/lose both. I have to say i wouldn't even have thought about it without the encouragement/support of those who offer(ed) advice via this board. I am sure you are all aware of the contribution(s) you make, but if not..... (even though most of what i read is too technical for me to understand)

The door handle is back on the car now, I've reconnected it to the lock and everything appears to be fine.

I've still got the trim to put back. The metal frame for the arm rest has rusted slightly and marked the door card (I'll put some Hammerite on the frame and give the card a good clean). The door card has no plastic backing and has a some water damage, so that needs sorting which will probably be true of all four.